The Portland daily press., 1887-03-29
POLICE SIGNALS.
The New system in Successful OPP
eratioh.

Upon table in the deputy marshals Of
nee at the police station are number of in
struments which have been placed there
within the past few days. At one end of
the table, under a glass globe, is roll of
narrow paper wound upon wheel. the
whole instrument looking like the small
machine used in receiving stock quotations
in brokers' office. Near by is a telephone,
and next tc it small wooden box, with
punch in the top. These different instru-
mentS are the apparatus used in communi-
eating with the twenty galvanized iron sig
nal stations placed in different parts of the
city. When a call is made from one of the
signal stations, its number is received upon
the strip of paper which runs out from I'M
der the glass globe and at the same time
call bell upon the wall gives notice that
somebody is signalling the office. Notice is
sent back to the signal station that the mes
sage has been received by pressing the
punch in the top of the wooden box, which
causes bell to ring in the station on the
street Above the table in the Office there
is lightning arrester through which the
wires, connecting with the stations, are car
ried. There is also little machine which
looks like compass, only that it has num-
bers in the dial where the compass is let
tered. This is an indicator which points out
when anything is wrong along the circuit of
the wires and more than that shows in what
part of the system the trouble exists.
In each station on the street is a small iron
box with crank on one side, which works
in slot. If it is simply desired to send
call for the patrol wagon, the crank is pulled
down and the work is done. But if COM
munication by telephone is wanted, the door
to the small iron box is opened, an indicator
in 1t moved to the telephone call aud then
the crank is pulled. The box contains the
telephone and transmitter. The notice for a
telephone call is given at the police Office by
an extra dash and dot after the number Of
the station on the unwnding paper.
Keys to the doors of the street stations are
carried by the patrolmen. The locks are
similar to those on the fire alarm boxes, the
key used In opening the door remaining
fastened in the lock until released by the use
OF another key. Every police officer will
have one of these releasing keys. Keys to
the stations will be given to citizens living in
their vicinity if they desire them.
The signal stations of course contain all
the l.ecessary lightning arresters and are
thoroughly grounded. The system is the
Game well Police Telephone aud Telegraph
System and has been put in here under the
supervision Of city electrician Cummings
Yesterday it was given its first real test
The police officers were supplied with keys
and communicate with the office. The APP
paratus. notwithstanding the moisture,
worked to complete satisfaction, the num-
bers being faultlessly recorded and the tele-
phone messages easily transmitted and I'M
derstood.
The object of the system is now pretty
generally understood. By it, police officers
and citizens with keys can communicate
with the police station or call assistance. A
patrol wagon will be kept at the station to
reply to calls for aid. The patrolmen, by
using the signals, will be able to remain up
on their beats, sending offenders whom they
have arrested to the station in the wagon
City Marshal Hawkes. says that he expects
to have team in use in short time.